Plane trees line the route to Coral Wylie's theatrical debut at the Bush Theatre, where she's set to turn her lifelong love of local green spaces into a compelling new drama.
The lifelong Shepherds Bush resident has taken inspiration from H&F's green spaces to bring a new play to Uxbridge Road.
The nature enthusiast's debut play, Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew, will run from 8 February to 22 March, with tickets available from £15.
"Nature is a huge passion for me," explained the a wildlife educator and one of the Bush's Emerging Writers' Group alumni.
"I have such special memories of playing in Ravenscourt Park as a kid because of the huge plane tree in the middle – we called it the Henry VIII tree because it was so old.
"There's a human need for nature and west London has so many green spaces that help us explore plants and wildlife in urban areas."
Green oasis
Shepherds Bush Green is packed with London plane trees, "it is such an oasis," said Coral. "It's hard to believe you are just off the Uxbridge Road, but that is what so many pockets of green feel like."
Even the Bush Theatre itself has had a green makeover as part of the play's development.
Playwright Coral and the team have planted more than 100 bulbs on the theatre's sedum roof – including colourful crocus and daffodils alongside serene snowdrops – to join a bug hotel on the site.
"Walking to and from the theatre you find so many different species just in this local area," adds Coral.
Visits to local environmental charity Hammersmith Community Gardens Association's Phoenix Farm garden in White City have been part of the creative process.
Lavender, Hyancinth, Violet, Yew
Coral's debut play explores nature, history and queerness.
Alongside BAFTA and Olivier Award nominee Omari Douglas and actors Wil Johnson and Pooky Quesnel, Coral appears in the play as Pip – a 19-year-old trying to find themselves through gardening.
"It felt really important for the play to feature a Black, mixed-race family and queer people enjoying themselves in nature, because I found going into green spaces as a Black person a very different experience," Coral explained.
The story centres on Pip's discovery of an old jacket in the attic that's been gathering dust. With a mysterious diary in the pocket, Pip is determined to dig into the past, unearthing secrets about an old family friend.
"I hope it makes people see how nature connects – thinking about what we are leaving behind, and allowing us to look forward."
Coral's play is one of three productions taking to the Bush Theatre stage this season.
Star returns to W12
Comedy legend and acclaimed actor, Sir Lenny Henry, returns to the Bush Theatre (25 Jan) to perform extracts from his hit show August in England for an intimate one-night fundraiser.
The national treasure will share scenes from his portrayal of a Brummie greengrocer caught in the Windrush scandal, followed by a candid Q&A about his remarkable career. Tickets from £80.
